It hurts when a spouse or an ex says something nasty, but it hurts even more when it happens in front of the kids. So what should you do? Stay calm and don’t overreact. Easier said than done, right? But, for the sake of the kids, escalating the situation in front of them is the last thing they need to see. Second, don’t pull the kids into it. Asking a child to “pick a side” will have long-term emotional effects. And it’s not worth it. Here are some more tips on how to handle things in front of the kids.